Kalamazoo County Commissioners deadlock on a proclamation criticizing new federal immigration rules. Portage won’t allow marijuana related businesses – for now. WMU ends the football regular season with a win.
Kalamazoo County will not make formal comments opposing possible changes to federal immigration rules. Commissioners deadlocked Tuesday night on a proclamation that criticized a new “public charge” rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security. The rule would make it easier for the government to define green card and residency applicants as likely burdens on the state - and to turn down their applications. Opponents of the proposed change say it’s already discouraging immigrants from applying for any kind of benefits. The Board’s five Democrats supported the resolution. The five Republican members opposed it.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) The city of Portage is prohibiting recreational marijuana businesses for now, but the city council plans to revisit the issue in the future. The Kalamazoo Gazette says city council members unanimously passed the ordinance amendment Tuesday night. Michigan voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana in the November election. Local governments can approve regulations on businesses related to pot, or ban them within their jurisdiction. Portage officials say they want to see how marijuana legalization progresses in Michigan before considering regulations on marijuana businesses in the city.
(WKAR) Former Michigan State University president Lou Anna Simon has been charged with lying to law enforcement. The criminal charges came as part of an investigation into the school’s handling of Larry Nassar. Nassar is the former MSU sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for decades. Officials say Simon falsely told law enforcement she didn’t know certain details about a Title IX investigation into Nassar back in 2014. Simon faces two felonies and two misdemeanors. The felonies are punishable by up to four years in prison and fines. Simon’s attorney says the charges are without merit.
(MPRN) A group of Iraqi detainees are cleared to be released before the new year. A federal judge in Detroit says detainees who have been held for more than 6 months must be released within 30 days. ICE rounded up more than 100 Iraqi Christians for deportation in 2017 for minor crimes – many committed years ago. They were supposed to be sent back to Iraq, but their attorneys say the country will not take them back. Many of the detainees face religious persecution or other retribution if they return.
(Michigan Radio) Advocates for workers say the state legislature is working on ways to weaken or revoke new laws that boost the minimum wage and require paid sick time. That's after legislators approved the bills in September in order to keep voter referendums off the ballot. The advocates say the effort is an attempt to thwart the will of the people during the lame duck session.
(Kalamazoo Gazette) Kalamazoo's Northside neighborhood has a new master plan. The Kalamazoo Gazette says city commissioners approved it Monday night. City officials say they hope it will make it easier to redevelop homes and buildings and preserve the "cultural identity" of the neighborhood. Among other things, the plan rezones 350 properties. Other neighborhoods in Kalamazoo are also working on development guidelines as part of the city's master plan.
(WDET) Amtrak is preparing to handle an increase in travelers this holiday weekend. Officials say the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the busiest days of the year for the rail system. An Amtrak spokesperson says while there will be a larger number of Amtrak trains in service those planning to travel by rail should purchase tickets in advance.
Running back Jamari Bogan ran for a touchdown with 1:36 to play to give Western Michigan a 28-21 win over Northern Illinois Tuesday night at Waldo Stadium. The Broncos finish the regular season with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Mid-American Conference. Western is eligible for a post season bowl game.